UK joins US in banning uncharged gadgets from some flights

British travellers have joined US citizens in having to prove the gadgets in their hand luggage are charged up -- or risk not having them allowed on flights.

Under new measures, the UK's Department for Transport says that "in line with the US advice," passengers flying in and out of the UK may be asked to show that "electronic devices in their hand luggage are powered up or face not being allowed to bring the device onto the aircraft."

"Passengers flying into or out of the UK are therefore advised to make sure electronic devices being carried in their hand luggage are charged before they travel," the Department said.

On Sunday the US Transportation Security Administration said that its enhanced security procedures would include a ban on uncharged mobile phones and other devices on flights travelling to the US.

"For obvious reasons," Patrick McLoughlin, the UK's Secretary of State for Transport said in a statement, "We will not be commenting in detail on the measures or the routes affected."

"What I would ask of any member of the public is to cooperate with the security people at the airports to enable us to ensure this happens effectively and efficiently," McLoughlin told the Telegraph in a filmed interview.

UK airline British Airways this week said it wouldn't let passengers who were carrying uncharged devices board an aircraft at all, but later reversed its position, offering passengers the option of leaving their gadgets at the airport, having them forwarded on via post or being rebooked onto a later flight.

"We are complying with the new UK and US regulations and would advise customers to arrive in good time for their flights both at check-in and also at the boarding gate," the airline said.

CNET contacted the Department for Transport and was told that the new measures are in effect, and that the Department had nothing to add to its official statement.